ALCOAST 335/24 - AUG 2024 FY25 SOLICITATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN (BHT) C-SCHOOL

united states coast guard

R 291357Z AUG 24   MID600117584744U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 335/24
SSIC 6000
SUBJ: FY25 SOLICITATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN
(BHT) C-SCHOOL
A. Performance, Training, and Education Manual, COMDTINST 1500.10D
B. Behavioral Health Policy, COMDTINST 6000.5
1. The Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and Work-Life
(HSWL) is soliciting applications from current active duty
Coast Guard HS3s, HS2s, and HS1s to attend the Military Education
and Training Campus (METC) Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
C-School in FY25. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply
in accordance with (IAW) REF (A), IDHSs and HSs in locations with
an existing uniformed Regional Behavioral Health Provider (RBHP)
billet, and who have at least 2 years left at their current PDS,
are strongly encouraged to apply.
2. The Coast Guard Behavioral Health Program consists of
psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse case managers,
and behavioral health technicians who provide behavioral health
clinical care, outreach, and training to Coast Guard members across
the enterprise. Newly graduated BHTs will be an integral part of the
program as it continues to mature. Upon graduation from Coast Guard
course #100524, BHTs will be expected to serve in roles that support
the Behavioral Health Program, IAW REF (B).
3. The METC US Navy BHT course is a 16-week program at Fort Sam
Houston in San Antonio, TX. The curriculum provides lessons through
didactic classroom training and supervised practical exercises. BHT
students will gain knowledge and experience in the areas of
communication techniques, human development, psychopathological
disorders, psychological testing, consultation, interviewing,
psychiatric behavioral intervention, counseling, and operational
stress control (OSC).
    a. Candidates for this C-school must be approved by the
behavioral health leadership team, including a virtual interview
with the selection panel.
    b. Eligibility requirements for interested candidates include
the following:
        (1) Only available to HS3s, HS2s, and HS1s;
        (2) At least two years of direct clinical
care experience by the course start date;
        (3) Demonstrated character suitability in
maturity, clinical experience, and judgement to fulfill sensitive
patient care responsibilities;
        (4) Candidate PDS clinic shall designate 40 hours or five
full days per week (full-time) for BHT duties upon return from the
METC BHT course.
4. Eligible, interested candidates must provide the following
memorandum request with enclosures electronically to LCDR Mary Vance
no later than 30 SEP 2024:
    a. Endorsements from the Supervising Medical Officer and Health
Services Administrator (or Senior Independent Duty Health Services
Technician (SIDHS) as applicable) in support of the member's ability
to perform the duties in accordance with this message. It is the
member's responsibility to ensure that their chain of command is
aware and approves of attendance at this training. If assigned to an
operational unit (e.g., cutter), a command endorsement is also
required.
    b. Statement articulating why the applicant is seeking the
behavioral health technician opportunity (one page maximum).
5. The interview and selection panel will convene OCT 2024 and will
conduct interviews until all eligible candidates have been
considered. If selected, candidates will be notified of their BHT
C-school report date. The HS Assignment Officer will assign a class
convening date that meets the service, unit, and member needs.
6. POC: LCDR Mary Vance, mary.c.vance@uscg.mil
7. RADM Paul Jung, Asst Commandant of Health, Safety and Work-Life
(CG-1K), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.